"settlement of Ella's people"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Ellington
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihngt-uhn ]
Does Ellington flow with your last name?
Jazz royalty name with Ellie charm and sophisticated flair
American
English
Sophisticated
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Elegant
Bold
Vintage
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The Story of Ellington
Ellington is an English place name and surname derived from Old English elements: either 'Elli's settlement' (from a personal name Elli plus 'tun,' meaning settlement or estate) or 'the settlement of the people of Ella.' Several villages in England bear this name. As a given name for girls, Ellington combines the popularity of 'Elle/Ellie' with a sophisticated, jazz-inflected surname feel. Its most famous association is Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington, arguably the greatest American jazz composer.
Ellington has been rising steadily for girls, following the trend of sophisticated surname names like Remington, Addison, and Sutton. For musically-inclined parents, Ellington honors Duke Ellington's towering legacy in American music. The built-in nickname Ellie makes it simultaneously approachable and distinctive — a name that works in both a boardroom and a playground.
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) is considered one of the most influential American musicians and composers of the 20th century, leading his orchestra for over five decades and composing thousands of pieces including 'Take the A Train,' 'Mood Indigo,' and 'It Don't Mean a Thing.' Naming a daughter Ellington is a subtle, sophisticated nod to jazz's greatest genius.
Historical Record
Ellington first appeared in US Social Security records in 2001.
Over 945 babies have been named Ellington in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ellington is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,567 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Duke Ellington's full name was Edward Kennedy Ellington; his nickname 'Duke' was given by a childhood friend who admired his regal bearing
- Ellington performed at Carnegie Hall annually from 1943 to 1955 and wrote music for the symphony hall format
Ellington in Other Languages
English
Ellington
Old English
Ellingtun
Popularity Over Time
#3,567
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ellington
E
Ellington Ratliff
Musician
1993
American drummer and member of the pop-rock band R5 (now The Driver Era) alongside siblings Riker, Ross, Rocky, and Ryde...
American drummer and member of the pop-rock band R5 (now The Driver Era) alongside siblings Riker, Ross, Rocky, and Rydel Lynch
D
Duke Ellington
Musician
1899
Edward Kennedy Ellington, pioneering American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader who led his orchestra for 50+ years...
Edward Kennedy Ellington, pioneering American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader who led his orchestra for 50+ years; considered America's greatest jazz composer
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Compare Ellington with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,567
- Total SSA Count
- 44
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Elle
Elli
Linnie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ellington
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ellington is also used as a boy name, ranked #5217.
View Ellington as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Arabic origin
"pearl; precious gem"
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Old Irish origin
"white, bright"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellington
What does the name Ellington mean?
"settlement of Ella's people" (from Old English). Ellington is an English place name and surname derived from Old English elements: either 'Elli's settlement' (from a personal name Elli plus 'tun,' meaning settlement or estate) or 'the settlement of the people of Ella.' Several villages in England bear this name. As a given name for girls, Ellington combines the popularity of 'Elle/Ellie' with a sophisticated, jazz-inflected surname feel. Its most famous association is Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington, arguably the greatest American jazz composer.
What is the origin of the name Ellington?
Ellington has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "settlement of Ella's people".
Is Ellington a boy or girl name?
Ellington is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3567. As a boy name, it is ranked #5217. Ellington is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ellington?
Ellington is pronounced EHL-ihngt-uhn.
How popular is the name Ellington?
Ellington is currently ranked #3567 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ellington?
Common nicknames for Ellington include Ellie, Elle, Elli, and Linnie.
What are good middle names for Ellington?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellington Rose, Ellington Grace, Ellington Mae, Ellington Claire, Ellington Jane, and Ellington Paige.
What are good sibling names for Ellington?
Names that pair well with Ellington as siblings include Remington, Harlow, Waverly, Sutton, Beckett, Lennox, and Wren.
How many syllables does Ellington have?
Ellington has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ellington a common or rare name?
Ellington is an uncommon name, ranked #3567 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Ellington?
About the Name Ellington
Ellington is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "settlement of Ella's people" in Old English .
Is Ellington a boy or girl name? Ellington is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,567 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #5,217. Ellington is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ellington is currently ranked #3,567 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ellington has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihngt-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ellington include Ellie, Elle, Elli, and Linnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellington include Ellie, Elliana, Elliott, Ellianna, Ellis . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis